Dispenser for delivering a series of individual containers at one time



uvm

2 SHEETS-SHEET l MILLER E EUE lll lll DISPENSER FOR DELIVERING A SERIES OF INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS AT ONE TIME Hlm N lmul IwLlli Nov. 18, 1952 Filed oct. 1, 1948 v JNVENTOR.

ATTO RNEYS www . A. F. MILLER DISPENSER FOR DELIVERING A SERIES OF' INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS AT ONE TIME Nov. 18, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Oct. l, 1948 INVENTOR. ALgR-rFMILLaR- Patented Nov. 18, 19552 UNITED STATES NT FFICE DISPENSER FOR DELIVERING A SERIES F INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS AT NE TIME Albert F. Miller, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to Lily- Tulip Cup Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware 4 Claims. l

This invention relates to container dispensers for delivering during each operating cycle a plurality of individual containers spaced apart in a linear series.

The invention has proven especially useful in delivering paper cups and the like frustro-conical containers in a linear series such as during the waxing operation of said containers, and this embodiment will be described as illustrative of the invention.

In this type of operation it is highly desirable to have the dispenser mechanism as simple and sturdy as possible; as it is in operative connection with very costly apparatus for dipping the containers in molten wax or other liquid proofing material, and thereafter draining the excess wax and then drying the coating remaining on the containers. Hence a failure of the dispensing mechanism Will interfere with or cause the shutdown of extensive and expensive equipment and otherwise interfere with production. Likewise it is highly desirable that the dispensing mechanism be adapted to handle a given size of a wide range of sizes of containers with a minimum of adjustment and changes. These are among the important requirements which it is an object of this invention to provide.

This invention consists in the novel features, arrangements and combination of parts embodied by way of example in the apparatus hereinafter described as illustrating a preferred form of the invention, and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the present embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken on vthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are segmental plan views of the invention shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating adjustable features of the invention adapting it to containers of different sizes;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat enlarged plan view showing further details of the dispensing unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing further features of the dispensing unit;

Fig. 7 is a segmental view of parts of the dispensing unit shown in Fig. 6= in a different position-of operation; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are somewhat diagrammatic views illustrating two steps in the cycle of operation of the dispensing unit.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l and 2: a supporting frame is represented by the transversely extending members Ii! and II which are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. Plate member I2 is supported by said frame by having its opposite ends rigidly but removably secured to the respective members It and II as by the bolts I3-I 4. This member is provided with a plurality of dispensing throats, such as I5, in the present embodiment being ten in number; it being noted that the throats I5 thus provided are spaced apart longitudinally of the member I2 along a common axis. Preferably guide rods, such as Il, are disposed in groups adjacent the throats I5 to hold stacks of containers, such as S, in vertical alignment therein. A pair of longitudinally extending bars I8-I9 are disposed on respectively opposite sides of the guide plate I2 and are adjustably secured adjacent their respectively opposite ends to the support cross members Ill-II by bolts, such as 20, which pass through cooperating holes in the members I8 and I9 and through slots, such as 2 I, provided in the frame members IIl-I I.

A series of identical dispensing segments, such as 22, equal in number to the dispensing throats I5, are pivotally mounted for oscillating movement upon pivot bolts, such as 23 (Figs. 5 and 6) the bolts 23 each being provided with a journal portion 24 passing through the outer end of corresponding segments 22 and providing a shoulder engaging the under surface of the plate I3, with the threaded portion of the bolt of reduced diameter passing upwardly through the plate I3 engaged by a nut 2t. Each dispensing segment 22 is provided with an arcuate cam portion comprising a wedge-shaped cam section 2t and a dwell section 2l (Figs. 5 and 8) the cam section 21 when in position as shown in Fig. S serving to hold a stack of cups in position with the cani portion 26 serving to separate the lowermost cup A from the stack while retaining the next cup B and the remaining cups of the stack in position (Fig. 9) in the manner well understood by those skilled in the art. A second and similar series of identical dispensing segments, such as 22, are pivotally mounted on bolts, such as 23, and are supported from the member i9 in a manner identical with that previously described with respect to the series of segments supported on the opposite member I8. The arrangement of the parts being such that a pair of oppositely disposed dispenser members 22 have their inwardlyupon longitudinal reciprocation of the link-28 theV segments, such as 22, are causedto oscillate about their pivotal axes 23. Likewise an identical driv.

ing link 29 is pivotally attached to the seriesof dispenser segments 22 mounted on the bar I9. Corresponding ends of the links 28 and 29 are preferably articulated as at 30 and 3IL respectively, to outer link ends designated respectively 32 and 33 so as to provide for slight angularity of the outer ends of the driving linkage. Theouter ends of the link portions 32 and 33 arepivotally connected to corresponding ends of the respective bell cranks 34-35 which are pivotally mounted at 331 on, and carried by, the respective bars I8 and I9. Corresponding. other ends of the cranks 34--35 are engaged by pivot bolts 38-39 which are adjustably secured to the driving link 40 as by means of the respective slots II-42. provided in the link 40; It will there fore. be seen that upon reciprocation of the com-- mon driving link 40 in a transverse direction the links I8-.-I9 are simultaneously and correspond'- ingly moved in a longitudinal direction causing the simultaneous oscillation of both setsy of dise penser segments 2 andthereby Vsimultaneously dispensing the bottommost cup froml the plurality of stacks S of cups. In the. present embodiment the machineis shown adaptedn to dispense a plurality of individual cups C (Fig. 2)v in a linear series on a conveyor. To illustrate such use aconveyor member 45v is shownl carrying a plurality of studs or vertically extending-pins. which ,are to receive the said series vofcupswhen dispensed and convey thesameto aY positionout of alignment with the dispensingunits, at-,whichtime a second series of studs 46' iskmoved-into position to receive. the next series of cups,

Referring more particularlyto Figs. .3 and 4, thefacility of. adjusting the devicegso asto handle any selected size-of container willnow more particularly be pointedV out. Fig, 3 showsl a seg.- Vrnentfof the device in its position for dispensing the smallest cup for which it is intended, the parts being designated as shown in Fig. 1. When` it is desired to dispense a larger size container the guide plate I2 is removed by withdrawingthe bolts, such as I3-I4. The bolts, such as v20, and the bolts 38-39 are then loosened so as to permit further separation in a transverse gdirection of the guidebars I3-I9'to the position shownl in Fig. 4; the lateral spacing apart of Athe-guide bars I8-I9 being suincient to accommodate `a new guide plate designated IZain'W-hich the dis,- pensingv throats designated Ia are ofthe required diameter to accommodate the larger size containers. Therplate I-2a is thenf rigidly sev cured in position on` the frame, the bars I8 .and I9 are moved into contact with the opposite-sides of plate I2a and the boltsLsuch as 20.,v aresfas.- tened into position on theframemembersand the driving link 40 is secured in adjustedposition to the crank arms 34-35 by tightening `the pivot bolts 38,-.39. This adjustment. automatically places the cam Yportions in the plfper operative position previously described.

Having thus described my invention with partcularity with reference to its preferred form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding my invention, that other changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I aim in the appended claims to cover such changes and modifications as are within the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a dispensing mechanism for delivering a plurality of containers in a linear series, the combination of end supports, a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails having their ends secured to said supports, a longitudinally extending throat member disposed in the space between said rails and having its ends secured tov said end supports, said throat member being provided with dispenser throats extending therethrough in spaced. relation. along a longitudinal axis, twol seriesv each comprising a plurality of dispenser segments individually pivotally mounted adjacenttlieir'outer ends on said rails for angular movement in a horizontal plane and provided on their inner ends with arcuate cam portions, the segments off one series being disposedopposite the. segments of the other series to provide pairs of segments whose cam portions when moved about their pivotal axes move across the opposite edges of respectively cooperating throats to thereby engage the lowermost containers of stacks disposedin said throats, and a common drive train operatively connected to said segments of said two seriesv for simultaneous actuation thereof, whereby a linear series of containers may-be dispensed simultaneously.

2. In a dispensing mechanism fory delivering a plurality of containers in alinear series; the combination of end supports, a'pair of substantiallyy parallel longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails'having their/endsI adjustably secured to said supports for Varying thelateral spacing of said rails, a longitudinally extending throat memberdisposed in the space-:between said 'rails and having its ends removably secured to said end supports, said throatmember being provided with dispenser throatsextendingA therethrough in spaced rela-tionA along a longitudinal axis, two serieseach comprising af plurality of dispenser segmentsA individually pivotallyv mountedi. ad.; jacent their outer-ends onV said rai-ls forangular movement in a horizontal planeandfprovidedjon their inner endsv with arcuateA camportions,.the segments of one'. series :being disposed-opposite the segments ofthe other-series to provide pairs cf segments whose cam por-tions when moved about their pivotal axesv moveacross. tliefopxposite edges of respectively `cooperating throats to thereby engage thelowerrnost.containers of stacks disposed in said throats, and a common dri-vetrain operatively connectedftov said segments of said two seriesfor simultaneous. vactu--l ation thereof, Wherebya-linear series-*of` containers may be dispensedsimultaneously.

3. In afdispensing mechanism for delivering-.a plurality of containers in a linear series; the combination of end supports, a pair of,r substantially parallel longitudinally extending-laterally spaced raiis having their ends adjustably securedt to said supports for varying-thev lateral spacingrof said rails, a longitudinally-extending plate disposed in the space `betweenssaiclrails andrhaving its ends removably secured.Y to-said end supports, said plate being provided with dispenser throats extending therethrough in spaced relation along a longitudinal axis, said plate being also provided with vertically extending guides disposed in alignment with respective throats for maintaining stacks of containers in register therewith, two series each comprising a plurality of dispenser segments individually pivotally mounted adjacent their outer ends on said rails for angular movement in a horizontal plane and provided on their inner ends with arcuate cam portions, the segments of one series being disposed opposite the segments of the other series to provide pairs of segments whose cam portions when moved about their pivotal axes move across the opposite edges of respectively cooperating throats to thereby engage the lowermost containers of stacks disposed in said throats, a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending drive links pivotally connected respectively to the dispensing segments of said two series, a pair of bell cranks journaled about fixed axes and'carried by said respective rails for adjustable movement therewith, corresponding free ends of said cranks being pivotally connected respectively to said drive links, and a common actuating rod operatively connected to the other corresponding ends of said crank including means for adjusting said connection in -accordance with the lateral spacing of said rails, whereby a linear series of containers may be dispensed simultaneously by actuation of said rod.

4. In a dispensing mechanism for delivering a. plurality of containers simultaneously, the combination of a supporting frame, two series of dispensing members pivotally mounted for movement about vertical axes disposed along respective substantially parallel longitudinal lines for angular movement in a horizontal direction, corresponding dispensing members of said series being oppositely disposed to provide a plurality of pairs spaced apart longitudinally, each pair having inwardly disposed receptacle engaging cam portions spaced apart laterally for operative engagement with opposite sides of receptacles to be dispensed, a pair of longitudinally extending laterally adjustable members supporting said two series of dispensing members respectively, to thereby vary the lateral spacing between cooperating dispensing members of said pairs, said pairs of dispensing members corresponding in number to the number of receptacles to be dispensed during each operating cycle, a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending drive links pivotally connected respectively to the dispensing members of lsaid two series, and a common actuating member operatively connected to said pair of drive links for effecting said angular movement, whereby upon the movement of said common train said plurality of pairs of dispensing members are simultaneously actuated, and a plurality of stack guides having feed throats disposed in vertical axial feed alignment with respectively corresponding pairs of dispenser members for positioning the lowermost receptacle ofa like plurality of stacks of nested receptacles in the path of movement of said engaging cam portions.

ALBERT F. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,907,713 Benson May 9, 1933 1,979,089 Adams Oct. 30, 1934 2,445,958 Lindstrom July 27, 1948 

